Atalanta Stun Juventus With Late Goals In Coppa Italia

The Coppa Italia quarterfinal between Atalanta and Juventus lived up to its billing as one of Italian football’s most fiercely contested rivalries, but this time it was Atalanta who seized the moment. On a crisp Thursday evening, February 5, 2026, the New Balance Arena in Bergamo was buzzing with anticipation. Fans from across the world tuned in via Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, and Amazon Prime Video, eager to see which side would punch their ticket to the semifinals.

Atalanta, under the guidance of Raffaele Palladino, had entered the match with mixed recent results but plenty of resolve. Their last victory had come in a 4-0 thrashing of Parma, and they’d also secured a Champions League play-off berth. Juventus, meanwhile, had been riding high—unbeaten since January 17 and freshly placed fourth in Serie A, with nine wins in their last twelve matches. Luciano Spalletti, always one for tactical surprises, rested some key players ahead of a looming league clash against Lazio, but still fielded a side brimming with attacking intent.

The starting lineups reflected the magnitude of the occasion. For Atalanta, Marco Carnesecchi started in goal behind a back three of Giorgio Scalvini, Berat Djimsiti, and Honest Ahanor. The midfield featured Davide Zappacosta, Marten de Roon (captain), Éderson, and Lorenzo Bernasconi, while Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori supported Gianluca Scamacca up front. On the Juventus side, Mattia Perin was the designated Coppa Italia goalkeeper, protected by Lloyd Kelly, Federico Gatti (making his first start since meniscus surgery), Gleison Bremer, and Pierre Kalulu. The midfield duo of Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli (captain) anchored the team, with Andrea Cambiaso, Weston McKennie, and Francisco Conceicao supporting the in-form Jonathan David in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

From the opening whistle, the energy was palpable. Both teams probed for weaknesses, but it was Atalanta who drew first blood. In the 22nd minute, Bremer handled the ball inside the area, prompting a lengthy VAR review. The referee, Michael Fabbri, pointed to the spot, and Scamacca stepped up with ice-cold composure. He rifled his penalty past Perin, sending the home crowd into raptures and giving Atalanta a crucial lead. As VAVEL.com described it, "VAR decides it's a penalty and the home team opens the scoring! Gianluca Scamacca takes responsibility and kicks with his right foot from eleven yards to give his team the lead."

Juventus, stung by the setback, tried to muster a response. Bremer and McKennie both had decent chances, but their efforts sailed wide or were smothered by Carnesecchi. Francisco Conceicao was lively on the right, and Jonathan David worked tirelessly up front, yet the Bianconeri’s attacks repeatedly fizzled out in the final third. Atalanta’s defense, marshaled by Djimsiti and Scalvini, held firm under pressure, and the hosts went into halftime with a slender 1-0 advantage.

The second half began with both teams showing caution. Possession was nearly even—Juventus held 51.4% to Atalanta’s 48.6%—yet clear-cut chances remained scarce. As the minutes ticked by, the tension in the stadium mounted. Spalletti made a series of changes, introducing Jeremie Boga and Emil Holm in hopes of sparking a comeback, while Atalanta brought on fresh legs like Nikola Krstovic and Odilon Kossounou to shore up their lead.

But as the clock approached the 77th minute, Atalanta struck again. Raoul Bellanova led a blistering counterattack, threading a precise ball to Kamaldeen Sulemana, who finished with clinical precision from the center of the box. The crowd erupted—the home side had doubled their lead and could sense a famous victory within reach. Just eight minutes later, Atalanta delivered the final blow. Mario Pasalic, on as a substitute, latched onto a pass from Krstovic and fired home with his right foot from the right side of the box. The scoreline now read 3-0, and Juventus looked shell-shocked.

The closing moments saw Atalanta continue to press, refusing to sit back even with a comfortable cushion. Juventus, for all their possession and intent, simply couldn’t break through. The final whistle confirmed what the scoreline had been suggesting: Atalanta were through to the Coppa Italia semifinals, having delivered a statement performance against one of Italy’s most decorated clubs.

For Atalanta, this victory was more than just a place in the next round—it was a restoration of belief after a tough run of games. As VAVEL.com noted, “Atalanta takes the victory after crushing Juventus in the final minutes with two goals that delivered the final blow to the Bianconeri, whom they were already beating with a penalty goal. Juventus loses again after almost a month of being undefeated.” Scamacca’s leadership in attack, combined with the resilience of the defense and the tactical acumen of Palladino, proved the difference on the night.

Juventus, meanwhile, will be left to regroup. Their impressive unbeaten streak is over, and questions linger about squad depth and tactical adjustments in high-pressure knockout matches. Kenan Yildiz’s absence was felt, and while Jonathan David’s work rate was commendable, the Bianconeri lacked the cutting edge that has so often defined their success. The focus now shifts back to Serie A and the Champions League playoffs, where Spalletti’s men will need to rediscover their spark.

The match also had broader implications. Atalanta’s triumph sets up a semifinal clash against either Bologna or Lazio, adding another tantalizing chapter to this season’s Coppa Italia. For fans, pundits, and neutrals alike, the result was a reminder of the unpredictable magic of knockout football—where past records and league form can be rendered meaningless in 90 dramatic minutes.

As the dust settles in Bergamo, Atalanta’s supporters will savor this night for years to come. For Juventus, the road to silverware just got a little steeper, but with plenty of football left to play, there’s every chance these two rivals could meet again with even higher stakes. For now, though, it’s Atalanta who march on, brimming with confidence and dreaming of Coppa Italia glory.